Discovering new stories: the online edition
The websites I visit regularly to find out what is happening in the world of children's literature
I recently wrote a post about where I go to discover new stories, including libraries and bookshops. However, I live on a dirt road on the top of a mountain and have a toddler who I look after nearly full time, so admittedly, if I’m looking for new books, I am usually looking online.
It’s not easy to stay on top of everything when it comes to children’s literature. The Australian industry is relatively small, but there is a lot going on. New books, publishing and reader trends, awards and suggested reading lists, events, festivals, podcasts and more! It’s a lot to keep track of. And then there is everything happening overseas in the much bigger book markets. I’m a big advocate for Australian children’s literature, but I like to have some idea of what’s out there globally, too.
I’ve rounded up 30+ websites that I regularly visit to keep an eye on things, and if I think of more, I will add them to the comments! (Please also add your own down there!)
I don’t think any of these will be huge secrets, but hopefully there are a few that are helpful to you:
If I could only go to one place to search for new books, it would be the Readings website and email newsletters (and also the physical Readings Monthly which I read religiously). The reviews are excellent, and they always pick the cream of the crop to feature. I also really like their bestseller lists online which I check most weeks out of interest.
Also of note, the winners of The Readings Prize were just announced this week. The shortlists are always handy for discovering great books for kids. And big congrats to this year’s winners!
Australia's leading children's book catalogue, which is filled with all the best books available, hand-picked and reviewed by a group of Australian booksellers. This is a really top-notch resource for educators and parents.
They also do a printed version which you can find in most bookshops.
Confession: I don’t actually pay for a subscription to Books + Publishing! It’s just too pricey for me, personally. However, I still subscribe to their daily newsletter to at least see the headlines, and I tend to find that useful enough. It’s the best ‘industry’ information available online, and includes reviews, award winners, job vacancies, and other tidbits about what’s happening in the Australian book world.
For the record, I am currently one of their reviewers for children’s literature.
The Kids’ Bookshop newsletter
Erin Wamala is one of the best in the business, and you really shouldn’t miss her newsletters. Her most recent one was all about ideas for school prizes, which is super helpful at this time of the year. Sign up for updates on The Kids’ Bookshop website.
Melbourne City of Literature newsletter
Hopefully you all know that Melbourne is a UNESCO City of Literature, the only one in Australia, and the second city to receive that designation (after Edinburgh). The office sends out a great newsletter twice a week! It’s jam-packed with information about what is happening around the city (and beyond) in terms of bookish events, festivals, launches, and workshops.
Bec and Jane are such great stalwarts of knowledge and enthusiasm when it comes to children’s literature. I love their social media accounts, and basically everything they do. They also run several amazing book clubs for (just about) anyone— the Rebel Readers Alliance for kids aged 9-12, The Bluestockings Society for teens and tweens aged 12-14, and Birds of a Feather for grown-ups.
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